PA Media/DPA
London
Erling Haaland’s double helped Manchester City secure derby day delight as lifeless rivals Manchester United were outclassed in an embarrassing 3-0 home defeat in Sunday’s late kick-off.
The eyes of the footballing world were on Old Trafford as the neighbours met in the 191st Manchester derby and first since Pep Guardiola’s men matched their 1999 treble triumph.
Haaland scored a spot-kick and unmarked header before playing in Phil Foden to wrap up victory, yet City’s dominance was far greater than the scoreline suggested.
It was an abrupt end to an unconvincing three-match winning run in all competitions for Erik ten Hag’s United, who have now lost five of their 10 opening Premier League games.
Earlier, Everton ended a difficult week on a positive note as Dominic Calvert-Lewin fired them to a 1-0 win at West Ham, who slumped to a third defeat in eight days following reverses at Aston Villa and in the Europa League at Olympiacos.
The Toffees were playing their first match since the death of chairman Bill Kenwright on Monday at the age of 78, and were able to put some more breathing space between themselves and the bottom three with a second away win of the season.
Calvert-Lewin’s goal was his 50th in the Premier League for Everton, joining Romelu Lukaku, Duncan Ferguson and Tim Cahill in reaching the half-century.
The Toffees victory saw them climb to 15th in the Premier League table, one place clear of Nottingham Forest who fell to 16th after a 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield.
Sunday’s match was played in the aftermath of shocking reports that Reds forward Luis Diaz’s parents had been kidnapped in Colombia, while the country’s president later said Diaz’s mother "has been rescued”, but his father remains missing.
Liverpool said they were supporting the player, who sat out the Premier League clash where quickfire goals from Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez before the break and Mohamed Salah’s second-half effort helped Jurgen Klopp’s side maintain their 100% home record in the Premier League this season.
Liverpool’s latest victory - their eighth in a row in all competitions at Anfield - was their seventh from 10 league games this campaign and lifted them back to within three points of leaders Tottenham.
Elsewhere, Joao Palhinha scored a stunning equalizer as Fulham held Brighton to a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls were the better team in the early stages and were rewarded through Evan Ferguson’s neat finish before Palhinha’s superb strike secured a point for the Londoners.
The result extended Brighton’s winless league run to three as they rued missed chances in front of goal.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa continued their impressive home form as they beat Luton 3-1 to rack up a 12th successive Premier League win at Villa Park.
Unai Emery’s side have won every home league game since February 18 and made light work of the Hatters, with goals from John McGinn and Moussa Diaby giving them the upper hand before Luton captain Tom Lockyer put through his own net.
Premier League
Sunday Results
West Ham United 0 Everton 1
Aston Villa 3 Luton Town 1
Brighton & Hove 1 Fulham 1
Liverpool 3 Nottm Forest 0
Man United 0 M’chester City 3